Latest News

Irish Aid Policy - Changes at DTALK

30 Jan 2012

There are some important changes in the DTALK programme here in Kimmage Development Studies Centre. After March, due to a change in Irish Aid policy, DTALK services will no longer be subsidised.

We are committed to continue providing a training and learning programme for the international development sector while maintaining our customary high standard. Although this means an inevitable increase in our costs and subsequent increase in fees, DTALK services will remain very competitively priced. The Open Training, Tailor-Made Training and Organisational Strengthening services - including Coaching and Mentoring, Facilitating Processes, and Monitoring and Evaluation – will continue to be offered. When the new calendar effective 1 May 2012 is finalised it will be uploaded.

We in DTALK are proud of our record in setting a benchmark for professional delivery and quality in our training and organisational support services, drawing from expertise available in Ireland and overseas. Since 2005 over six and a half thousand participants have passed through our doors, more than 95% of them rating their experience as “excellent”, “very good” or “good”. We intend to build on that.

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any enquiries.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

DTALK Masterclass II: ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

10 Nov 2011

In DTALK’s second in the Masterclass Series, DR. RAJESH TANDON, President, Society for Participatory Research In Asia (PRIA) and CONNELL FOLEY, Head of Strategy, Advocacy and Learning, Concern Worldwide addressed directors and senior executives of Irish based NGOs.

For a full report of the Masterclass see attachment below.

Making Organisational Capacity Development Real

Dr. Rajesh Tandon, President – PRIA

What is organisational capacity development about? Dr Tandon’s first core principle is that capacities exist already in any development context. The second is capacity utilisation, wherein these existing capacities can be identified, mobilised and linked with the process of development itself. Capacity of a development organisation is the capacity to transform that context around values of justice, peace, equity and inclusion. “What kind of capacity?” Dr Tandon identified three levels of capacity – individual, organisational, and systemic.

Listen to Rajesh's address here:

Dr Rajesh Tandon

Connell Foley, CONCERN WORLDWIDE “There is a big emergency on, and they have sent me bloody capacity builders”, Connell Foley quotes a humanitarian aid worker at his arrival at a natural disaster more than a decade back.  Not seen as a particularly practical concern, capacity development is now – for better or worse - part of mainstream development policy. Connell’s presentation came from the angle of, “what is our capacity to develop others’ capacity?” focusing on the importance of organisational learning in Northern NGOs, and reflective practitioners. “Have we turned from a passionate development worker wanting to transform society to a proposal/report writing machine”? Connell outlined a number of useful and practical options that can help Northern NGOs to learn, detailed in our full report on the Masterclass. He concluded with the observations that: How we develop our capacities internally better enables us to support and facilitate capacity development in Southern organisations.

Listen to Connell's address here:

Connell Foley

Various themes emerged from the discussion involving the group of senior NGO personnel and the two keynote speakers. These are summarised in the Masterclass report below.  

This was the second of three in the Masterclass Series. The next is scheduled for March 2012.

• Full report on Masterclass II: Organisational Capacity Development
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Kimmage Development Studies Centre Associates

11 Oct 2011

Kimmage Development Studies Centre (Kimmage DSC) has been supporting education and training for development practitioners from Ireland and overseas since 1974.

Currently, Kimmage DSC’s capacity development objectives are realised through 4 key programmes:

• DTALK Learning (Professional Capacity-Development Service to the Irish International Development Sector)
• Undergraduate studies (BA)
• Postgraduate studies (MA)
• KODE (Open & Distance Learning)

Kimmage DSC offers these programmes through a small number of full-time staff, augmented by the skills and expertise of Associates - a group of highly-qualified and experienced personnel - who are affiliated to Kimmage DSC and work on a part-time, short-term or occasional basis as the need arises.

Kimmage DSC is currently expanding its pool of Associates in order to support the various capacity development elements of its DTALK Programme: short-term training, coaching and mentoring, facilitation and monitoring and evaluation services.

You can read more about what is required of a Kimmage DSC Associate here.

If you are interested in being a Kimmage DSC Associate, please complete and send the following:

• A copy of your CV
• A sample of your written or published work, and
• A completed registration form.

to aine.costigan@kimmagedsc.ie or by post to Áine Costigan, Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Kimmage Manor, Whitehall Road, Dublin 12.

You can also apply and submit the required documents using this online form.

• About Kimmage DSC Associates
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• Kimmage DSC Associate Registration Form
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Addressing HIV Effectively in Humanitarian Settings - A Learning Day

10 Oct 2011

Tuesday, 25 October 2011, 1.30-5.30pm

Venue: Brandsma Room, The Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2

Objective

To increase participants’ understanding of how organisations can best address HIV in humanitarian settings.

This Learning Day will review the effectiveness of existing guidelines in supporting organisational responses to address HIV in humanitarian settings as a “cross cutting issue” and will also explore some examples of how organisations have successfully addressed HIV in their humanitarian work.

At the end of this learning day, participants will...

through structured inputs, case study review and plenary discussions,

1. Understand how HIV and humanitarian crises co-exist (HIV exacerbates the vulnerabilities of communities in humanitarian crises and, in turn, humanitarian crises fuel HIV transmission and worsens AIDS impact).
2. Appreciate how existing guidelines are effective in supporting organisations address HIV in humanitarian settings.
3. Explore examples of how organisations have applied these guidelines in their programme responses, with particular reference to food security, women and children.
4. Generate some “lessons learned” about how best to address HIV in humanitarian settings

Keynote Speaker

Hilary Homans, PhD is the Director of the Centre for Sustainable International Development at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Hilary’s career in international development began in 1987 when she worked in the Ministry of Health, Zimbabwe for six years. In 2001, she was the WHO Emergency and Humanitarian Action Coordinator following the Gujarat earthquake.

Hilary has produced the Policy Statement on HIV Testing and Counselling for Refugees, IDPs and Other persons of Concern to UNHCR. Dr. Homans also worked with UNAIDS to revise the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines for HIV/AIDS Interventions in Emergency Settings. She is also a key author of the recent report, On the Frontline: A review of programmes that address HIV among international peacekeepers and uniformed services, 2005-2010.

Registration

To register please contact Catherine Behan at dtalk@kimmagedsc.ie or 01 4064 307

• HIV Seminar Info Sheet
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Irish Aid Volunteering Fair

13 Sep 2011

DTALK will be attending the Irish Aid Volunteering Fair on Saturday 1st October.

The event will take place in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre from 11am-4pm.

For more information go to:

http://www.irishaid.gov.ie/centre/events_detail.asp?eventID=476

Masterclass II: Organisational Capacity Development Made Real

26 Jul 2011

DTALK Learning is hosting a Masterclass Series for executive directors and senior staff of Irish civil society organisations working in the international development sector. This series provides an opportunity to receive the latest updates from high-level experts on key topics, to network and share perspectives with peers and to hear a range of opinions on common problems.

Distinguished civil society practitioners Dr Rajesh Tandon, PRIA and Connell Foley, Director of Strategy Advocacy and Learning, Concern Worldwide shared and exchanged perspectives on this vital topic.

The Masterclass took place on 19 October from 2.15 to 5pm. 

Venue: Chester Beatty Library. 

For more information please contact Áine Costigan.

Launch of DTALK’s broader programme of services.

23 Jun 2011

DTALK’s broader range of services to support organisational capacity development, was officially launched at a reception in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin following the inaugural Master Class on Leadership.

The Minister for Trade and Development Jan O’Sullivan addressed the gathering of DTALK supporters, recognising DTALK’s role in successfully developing capacity in the sector. Over 5,800 participants have benefitted from DTALK courses since 2005, with 95% of those recording a ‘good’ or ‘very good’ satisfaction level.  

In her speech, the Minister reassured the guests - most of whom are involved with the development sector - of the government’s commitment, despite the economic crisis, to achieving the target of contributing 0.7% of Gross National Product for international development assistance by 2015. This she claimed was supported from all sides of the Dail. 

Ingrid Srinath, Director General of CIVICUS - an alliance of civil society organisations worldwide – also addressed the reception. Earlier in the Master Class, in an insightful and penetrating outline of risks and challenges to civil society - and development in general - Ingrid presented her understanding of the new world in which we’re operating, and the risks and challenges for leaders. She exhorted those present to take up the challenge in these times of rapid change and uncertainty to step into the vacuum and influence “the new social contract”.  

Also present at the reception were the heads of DTALK consortia Dr Geof Woods of INTRAC in the UK, Hans Rijneveld of MDF, Netherlands and of course Paddy Reilly, Director of Kimmage DSC. Each endorsed DTALK’s successful record to date, and enthusiastically promoted DTALK’s new services, pledging continuing support for the future.

DTALK Masterclass with Ingrid Srinath and Justin Kilcullen: Audio and slide presentation below

10 Jun 2011

On June 7th the inaugural DTALK Learning Masterclass with Ingrid Srinath (CIVICUS) and Justin Kilcullen (Trócaire) took place. Attended by development sector professionals from several NGOs, the masterclass came at a time when overseas development leaders must cope with the everyday impact of economic crisis while at the same time maintaining optimism and vision for the future. In Ireland, the international development community is struggling to hold its ground; the populist argument that charity begins at home has already had high profile media airing, the threat of further budget cuts is never far away and critical donations are diminishing.

While an original intention of the Masterclass was to explore the mechanics and qualities of good leadership, discussion naturally expanded to the world in which this leadership is taking place – the future of development work, its role, relevance and authority, and critically, its evolving role within a changing world and more specifically a changing South.

Points raised included the following. 

• Don’t waste a good recession. A time of crisis is a time to make the hard strategic decisions that didn’t have to be taken when times were better. Taking difficult decisions now will make the development sector more streamlined and better equipped to face future challenges.  
• International NGOs must work in partnership with civil society movements and NGOs in the South if they want to remain effective and relevant.  
• The development sector should temper its emphasis on technocratic professionalism, combining it with a shift to a more “pure” development agenda that is focused on strengthening local capacity and independence.
• Turnover can’t remain the only measurement of success. The best measure of success must be what beneficiaries think of the outcome.
• Mergers and collaborations are inevitable. However, while mergers can more often than not result in effective take-overs, collaborations can be opportunities for positive strategic alliances. Successful collaborations don’t necessarily occur between like organisations. In alliances, differences get results.
• There has to be real and honest analysis of the impact of interventions. Building a bridge might be good for donor reports but would it be more sustainable to support a community to advocate and lobby their government for that bridge?
• Overseas development agencies must play a stronger role in advocacy and campaigning, both South and North. It must regain its independent and sometimes critical voice, which has been softened perhaps because of an embeddedness with major donors.
• It is critical to build a strong constituency of informed and engaged supporters in the North – at home – to continue solidarity with civil society movements in the South.
• International NGOs should concentrate on the issues that local NGOs can’t work on – the most difficult and intransigent issues, not the “soft” issues often championed by high profile corporate donors.
• Corruption is both a contributor to and symptom of poverty. The answer is not to stop working with or funding countries with “corrupt regimes” but to ensure that civil society is strengthened to ensure that those governments are made accountable to their people.

Ingrid Srinath's and Justin Kilcullen's inputs can be listened back to on the player below. A copy of Ingrid's slide presentation can be accessed by clicking on the icon below the sound recordings.

• Article on Ingrid Srinath published in the Village magazine in Ireland.
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• Summary of the key addresses and issues that emerged from the Masterclass.
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• Ingrid Srinath's slide presentation
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Understanding Development Evening Course - Now Accepting Applications

19 May 2011

DTALK Learning and Kimmage Development Studies Centre (KDSC) is now accepting applications for the 2011/12 Understanding Development Evening Course. Classes will take place one night per week (Monday) from October 3rd. There are 20 sessions in all. This course tends to fill quickly so early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Course Aim

The aim of the course is to assist participants to enhance their understanding of the problems and possibilities of development in developing countries. It is intended for anyone concerned with development issues for reasons of work, active support or personal interest.

Term 1

This part of the course covers such areas as: theories of economic growth and development; the social, economic and environmental indicators for measuring development; the role of international financial institutions; official and non-governmental aid; trade and development.

Term 2

The course content in the second term is more issue based and includes such topics as: Corporate Social Responsibility; Micro-Finance; Food and Livelihood Security; Community Development in Ireland; Poverty and the Environment: Climate Change and
Development: Refugees and Migration. The role of gender in the development process is also examined.

For further information or to apply please download the application form or contact us.

• Understanding Development Information & Application Form.
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MASTER CLASS 1: If We Were Brave... Leading Beyond Budget Cuts.

29 Mar 2011

The Direction of Northern and Southern NGOs in Challenging Times.

Distinguished civil society practitioners Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, CIVICUS and Justin Kilcullen, Director, Trócaire share and exchange perspectives on this vital topic.

The Leadership Master Class: Coping with current crises and at the same time maintaining optimism and vision for the future are key skills needed to lead and assist international development organisations north and south survive well and into the future. These skills are necessary to support the integrity and vision of individual organisations and the partnerships and alliances that are forged between organisations within and between geographic regions.

DTALK Learning is hosting a Master Class Series for executive directors or senior staff of Irish civil society organisations working in the international development sector. This series will provide an opportunity to receive the latest updates from high-level experts on key topics, to network and share perspectives with peers and to hear a range of opinions on common problems.

The master class will take place on 7 June from 3 - 5.15pm.

This will be followed by a reception to celebrate the launch of DTALK's new services.

Venue: Chester Beatty Library.

Fee: €50.00

For more information please contact Áine Costigan.

Extra course: Planning – How to apply the Logical Framework

18 Feb 2011

Due to very high demand we are running two courses on applying the logical framework simultaneously on 23-25 March.

This course will provide participants with skills to develop and assess a project or programme by using the logical framework. The course will also provide insight in the basic principles behind project cycle management and will briefly introduce budget preparation based on the logical framework/project plan. Click here for more information.

The Irish Development Sector: Weathering the IMF-EU Economic Recovery Storm

18 Feb 2011

Ireland is in the midst of a financial and political crisis that is having a knock-on effect on the international development sector. In the context of the IMF and EU economic recovery plan (including an €85 billion loan) and corresponding cuts in public expenditure, the sector is struggling to hold its ground.

Part of the economic recovery plan is to cut public expenditure, including overseas development assistance. In this circumstance, maintaining Ireland’s commitment to investing 0.7% of national income in overseas aid by 2015 is being challenged. As the Irish Aid budget has already been cut by 22%, the pressure is on for Irish Civil Society Organisations and their overseas partners to do more with less. This national reality is set against a backdrop of key international agreements regarding development effectiveness; the Paris Declaration, the Accra agenda, and more recently, the Istanbul principles.

In real terms, the Irish international development sector is now struggling with redundancies, overseas programme cut-backs, fundraising pressure and future uncertainty regarding forward planning, strategic thinking and partnerships. At the same time, the Irish sector needs to maintain its commitment to development effectiveness; being fully aware that for the millions of people who live on less that €1.25 per day, this is a question of access to food, education and health care. And perhaps more importantly, it is about addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality and marginalisation.  

DTALK Learning In 2011

At this point in time in the international development sector in Ireland, DTALK is challenged to provide capacity development services that will assist civil society organisations weather the current crises into the future. In order to increase the sector’s development effectiveness in a more comprehensive way, DTALK will now complement its existing high quality training with a range of new services designed to develop capacity at the organisational level. These services include Coaching and Mentoring, Facilitating Processes and Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation Systems.

Finally – and importantly – leaders within the Irish sector need support to manage the current economic crisis and at the same time project their organisations into a future with vision, anticipation, and optimism. Thus, DTALK Learning is hosting a Master Class Series for directors and senior staff of Irish civil society organisations working in the international development sector. This series will provide an opportunity to receive the latest updates from high-level experts on key topics, to network and share perspectives with peers and to hear a range of opinions on common problems faced by the sector. We will be announcing Master Class topics and resource people in the next few weeks. Check our website for updates.

Security-preparedness for Volunteer Sending Organisations

18 Feb 2011

A workshop hosted by Comhlámh and DTALK Learning

This workshop, designed for senior staff responsible for sending volunteers overseas, human resources personnel and volunteer coordinators, will focus on increasing participants’ understanding of how volunteer-sending organisations should best equip themselves to meet their “duty of care” obligations with regard to sending volunteers overseas. Click here for more information.